NZ music awards finalists announced

Anika Moa and The Phoenix Foundation, nominated for three and eight awards respectively. Photos / Supplied

The finalists have been announced for this year's Vodafone New Zealand music awards at a function in Auckland this evening.

Gin Wigmore and Dane Rumble dominate with six nominations each. Although when the three technical awards are included the overall leader is The Phoenix Foundation with a total of eight - and they got off to a good start with a technical awards clean-sweep.

Anika Moa and J. Williams are finalists in three categories each.

Also announced tonight was the recipient of The New Zealand Herald Legacy Award - Shihad. The band will be officially honoured at the awards ceremony on October 7th and will be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

For the first time, this year a critics' choice prize, decided by a panel of 13 music critics, will be awarded to an act deemed to be the best of the up-and-coming crop.

The three finalists are Street Chant, Home Brew and The Naked and Famous. To be eligible acts can't have released an album during or before the eligibility period. The award will be given at a showcase event at the King's Arms on September 15, after all three have performed in a final attempt to sway the judges.

No finalists are announced for Highest Selling NZ Single, Highest Selling NZ Album, NZ On Air Radio Airplay Record of the Year and International Achievement awards, which will awarded the main awards ceremony, hosted by Shannon Ryan and comedian Ben Hurley.